Measured-service telephone system



Nov. 5, 1929. J. WICKS 1,

MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM I Filed Aug. 30, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inuan DI Nov. 5, 1929. J. WICKS MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Aug. 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 D \q &

f l T '1 I I --Inuenur- Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN wIoKs, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC INC., or" I CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Application filed August 30, 1926. Serial No. 132,383.

This invention relates in general to measured service telephone systems, but more particularly to automatic party line measured service systems, and may be considered as an improvement on prior Patent 1,673,131, issued June 12, 1928. The principal Object of the invention is the provision of a system of this kind wherein each station on a party line is provided with a meter at the exchange, and wherein each meter is adapted to be separately connected for registering calls whenever its associated station has successfully completed a call to another station not on the same line and wherein the meter associated with the calling station is not operated when a station on a party line calls an other station on the same party line.

Other objects consist in the provision of improved circuit arrangements whereby the foregoing is accomplished as efliciently as possible and without complicated mechanism at the subscribers station, all of which will be fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 show by means of the usual circuit diagrams the essential parts of a telephone system embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a party line with two substations A and A connected to the line switch C, which has access to the repeater D. The meters M and M are associated with the substation A and A. Fig. 2 indicates the selector switch E associated with repeater D of Fig. 1, and has access to the connector switch H which establishes connection with the line switch C and substation A The selector E also has access to the reverting call equipment BC on calls between substations A and A.

Referring to Fig. 1, the substations A and A are ordinary automatic substations, of the induct-ion coil type, each havingthe ringer connected from ground and to Opposite sides of the line. The two telephones are connect-ed in bridge of the line conductors 11 and 12 in the usual manner. At the exchange the line conductors 11. and 12, terminate in the rotary line switch 0, individual to each line. This switch C is of the well known type in which the wipers have no normal'position and move in a forward direction only. The purpose of this switch is to extend its associated line, when calling, to an idle trunk line extending to a selector switch. This line switch in common with a plurality of similar line switches has access to a group of such trunk lines. One of these trunk lines is shown in the drawing and extends by way of the repeater D to the selector E, Fig. 2. This repeater,

D comprises a group of relays and is provided for the purpose of controlling the meter associated with any calling line, which may seize this particular trunk line.

The meters or call registers M and M are associated, respectively, with the substations A and A and may be located at any preferred point in the exchange. The meters are directly controlled by relays 2A and 25 which in turn are controlled from the repeater D in the trunk circuit. This repeater contains means which is selectively operated in accordance with a particular calling station on a party line in order to determine which of the meters associated with the line should be operated, and also prevents the operation of any meter when a calling party-is on the same line with the called party.

The selector E, Fig. 2 is one of a plurality of similar selectors whose function is to ex tend the calling lines to desired groupsof called lines. There may be only one selector switch, or a plurality in any given connection, depending on the size of the system. As shown herein it is assumed that first selectors only are used. The selector E has access on certain levels to trunk lines extend- I ing toconnectorswitches such as H, while on other levels it has access to reverting call equipment, such as RC. As these selector switches are well known in the art, only the wipers and bank contacts are shown in the drawing. For a complete disclosure reference is made to the book entitled, Automatic Telephony, by Smith and Campbell, published by the McGraw-Hill Book Company in 1914.

One of the trunk lines of the selector switch E leads to the connector switch H. This switch, as well as the selector, is of the Well known Strowger vertical and rotary type,

and it has access to 100 subscriber lines, one of which is the line extending to th sub station A The reverting call equipment EC also entends from the selector switch bank and is for the purpose of supplying ringing current when one party calls another on ie same line. The equipment comprises several relays and a source of interrupted ringing current.

The manner in which a call is made and the meters selectively operated will now be described in detail. It will be assumed for this purpose that the subscriber at substation A, Fig. 1, desires to call the subscriber at substation A Fig. 2. hen the receiver substation A is removed, a circuit is completed over the line conductors 11 and 12 for the line relay 15 of the line switch C. This relay, upon energizing closes a circuit for the switching relay 14: in series with the stepping magnet 16 at its armature 21, and its irinature 22 connects test wiper to the above circuit at a point midway between the relay 14: and the magnet 16. The opera ion now depends upon whether the trunk line with which the switch wipers are associated is busy or idle. If this trunk line is busy, the test contact engaged by the test wiper 32 wil re a ground potential upon it, and the sw' ng relay 1 1 will be short circuited, and the st pping magnet 16, being supplied with direct ground over the test wiper, will operate as a buzzer to advance the switch wipers step by step in search of an idle trunk line. it will be assumed that in the present case the wipei's of the line switch C will come to rest on a set of idle banl: contacts, as shown in the drawing. Relay let therefore energizes and upon attracting its armature 19, connects ground to the test "iper in order to make the selected trunk line busy, at its armature 18 it closes a contact in the meter control circuit, at its armatures 17 and 20 extends the line conductors 11 and 12 by way of the front con tacts of tnese armatures, wipers and 33, bank contacts 3% and 37, conductors 38 and ll, armatures 62 and 65 and their b cl: contacts winding of the dih'erential relay 53, and the winding of the line relay and the retard coil 82 to the battery and ground, respectively.

lVhen the calling line is extended to the repeater D, as above explained, t ie line relay 5st is energized over the line circuit and at its armature closes acircuit for the slow acting relay 55. Upon energizing, relay prepares a circuit for the slow acting relay 5. at a mature 72, and at armature 7% connects ground to the release trunk conductor 86 from armature 78, thereby completing a holding circuit which extends back to the line switch C by way of said conductor 86, conductor 40. test contact 36, test wiper 32, armature 19 and its front contact, in series with the winding of switching relay 1% and the winding of the Me ssa stepping magnet '6 to battery. This circuit is established before the line relay 15 has time to c eenergize and serves to maintain the switching relay 1% energized throughout the duration of the conversation. Ground is also placed on the private normal conductor 13 which extends to the multiply connected test contacts in t. e banks of the connector swi ches which have access tothis party line, thereby making the said line busy to all incoming calls. At armature 74 and its front cont ct relay 55 also short circuits relay 52 from the ground d release trunk conductor. /Vhcn the line relay became energized it also closed a bridge across the trunk conductors 85 and 8?, which may be traced from the conductor 85 by way of armature 7 9 and its back contact, normally closed contact springs controlled by armature 62, upper winding of the electro-polarized relay 51, ing of the retard coil 66, front contact of armature 70 and the said armature, and the normally closed contact springs controlled by armature to conductor 87. VVhen this bridge is closed a circuit is completed in the usual man er for the line relay (not shown) of the selector switch E, and the line and release relays of this selector switch are accordingly energized to prepare the selector for operation in the usual manner. It should be stated at this time that although the upper winding of the electro-polarized relay 51 at the repeater D is in series with the line relay of the selector E, relay 51 is not operated at this time because of the opposing effectof its polarizing winding, the latter winding being now supplied with current from the grounded release trunk conductor 40 through resistance 58. Relay 51 is so adjusted that it requires the combined elfect of its two windin s to operate it, and it will not operate with either winding alone, or when the two windings are in opposition to each other.

The calling subscriber may now operate his calling device S in accordance with the iirst digit or a desired number. As a result a series of interruptions are produced in the line circuit and the line relay 51'- at the repeater D is caused to deenergize momentarily a plurality of times, depending on the number dialled. fit each deenergization, relay 5% sends an impulse of current to relay 5'? and since this relay is slow acting it remains in operated position until the impulses cease. In its energized position, relay 57 closes a bridge across the trunk conductors S5 and 87, over a direct path which includes only the armature T 9 and its front contact, and the impulsing contact and armature of the line relay 5%, and the normally closed contact springs controlled by armature 65. This cir cuit bridge is opened by the line relay 5st each time it deenergizes. In addition to the operations already described relay 57 short circuits the retard coil 82 at its armature 81 and at its armature closes a circuit for relay 56. The latter relay, upon energizing, locks itself to the release trunk conductor by means of its armature 76 and short circuits the upper and lower windings of the dilferential relay 53, by means of its armatures 7 5 and 7?. Differential relay 58 is thus permanently disconnected from the circuit. The short circuiting of relay 53 and the retard coil 82 and the closure of a direct bridge across the trunk are the usual operations which are provided for in order to improve the line and trunk circuit for the transmission of impulses. At armature and back contact 78 relay 56 also removes the short circuit from relay 52 but relay 52 still remains short circuited from the release trunk ground which is now grounded from the selector E. In response to the interruptions produced at armature 70 of the line relay 54 the selector E is operated in the usual manner to select a group of connector switches after which its wipers 88, 89 and 90, are automatically rotated to select a trunk line, 97, 98 and 99, leading to an idle connector switch in the selected group. It will be assumed that the connector taken for use is the connector H, leading from the fourth level and when the trunk conductors are extended through to the line relay 101 of this connector, said line relay will be energized. Upon attracting its armature 114 relay 101 closes a circuit for slow acting release relay 102 which, upon energizing, prepares the vertical maget circuit and connects ground to the release trunk conductor 98, thereby establishing a holding circuit for the preceding switches in the usual and well known manner.

The calling subscriber may now operate his calling device S in accordance with the next digit in the number. The resulting interruptions in the line circuit are repeated as before by the line relay 54 of the repeater, and, in consequence the line relay 101 of the connector H is caused to deenergize a plurality of times. A circuit is now closed for the vertical magnet at each deenergization of re lay 101 from ground at armature 114 and its resting contact, armature and front contact of relay 102, off normal springs and winding of slow acting relay 103 to the winding of the vertical -magnet 108 to battery. By the operation of the vertical magnet the connector shaft is raised step by step and the wipers 140, 141 and 142, inclusive, are brought to rest opposite the level of bank contacts in which the line of substation A is located. Slow acting relay 103 is energized in series with the vertical magnet and retains its armatures attracted throughout the vertical movement 'of the switch thus maintaining the vertical magnet circuit intact after the elf normal springs have been shifted, which occurs on the first vertical step. At the end of the vertical movement,

relay 103 is deenergized and transfers the operating circuit to the rotary magnet 109 at its armature and back contact.

The calling subscriber may now call'the final digit in the number. The resulting interruptions in the line circuit are repeated as before and the line relay 101 is again deenergized a plurality of times. This time, however, the impulses are sent to the rotary magnet through armatures on relays 101 and 102, the shifted oil normal springs 110, the back contact of the armature on relay 108, armatures on relays 105 and 107 to the winding of rotary magnet 109. In response to these interruptions rotary magnet 109 is operated to rotate the switch wipers into engagement with the particular set of bank contacts in which the line of substation A is terminated, these bank contacts being in dicated in the drawings. Relay 106 is energized in parallel with the rotary magnet and being slow acting holds its armatures attracted throughout the rotary movement. Relay 106 also connects the test wiper 141 through the winding of the test relay 105.

Assume that the called line is busy when the connection thereto is established. When the test wiper 141 comes to rest and'engages with the test contact it will encounter a ground potential and test relay 105 will be energized and locked up to its own armature. It then breaks the rotary magnet cir cuit and connects a lead from the busy signalling machine to the lower side of the line.

An audible busy signal is now transmitted.

to the calling subscriber and he being ad vised thereby that the called line is for the time being inaccessible, he will replace his receiver and the connection is released.

If the called line is idle when connected with, the test wiper 141 will find no ground potential on the test contact, and relay 105 will not be energized. Then when the slow acting relay 106 falls back a circuit is completed for the switching relay 107 from the ground on armature of relay 102, armature of relay 105, upper winding of relay 107, armature of relay 106, to the wiper 141 in series with the cut-off relay of the line switch C which is similar to the line switch C, Fig. 1. These relays are energized in series over the above circuit and the latter relay clears the called line conductors of the normal battery and ground connections. as will be noted from the line switch C of Fig. 1. Due to a mechanical interlocking device controlled by the line relay. which has not been energized, the cut-oif relay is operated only half way and the line switch wipers are not connected In the connector II when the switching relay 107 is energized it establishes a locking circuit for itself over its armature to the release trunk conductor, grounds the test wiper 141, opens the circuit of the rotary magnet and connects the line through to the wipers 14:0 and 142. Ringing current from the generator 1N TGEN is now projected out over the called line in the usual manner to operate the bridged ringer at substation A thereby notifying the subscriber that he is being called. It will be noted that the return current for the ringing current includes the upper winding of the ring cut-off relay 104-. and when the called subscriber answers by removing his receiver the ring cut-oil relay is energized, establishing a locking circuit for itself to the release trunk conductor. Belay 104 also opens the ringing circuit at its armatures and at its working contacts finally completes the talking circuit. The transmitter at substation [if is now supplied with talking battery through the windings of the double wound back bridge relay 100 which is immediately energized over the called line. Upon operating, relay 100 reverses the connoctions of the incoming trunk conductors 9'7 and 99 to the windings of the line relay 101 and therefore reverses the direction. of current flow in the trunk conductors 85 and S7 and the upper winding of the electro-polarized relay 51 which is included in the bridge across these conductors of the repeater D. The two windings of relay 51 now assist each other and toe relay is operated. At its armature 6st, relay 51 short circuits the resistance 58, which is normally in circuit with its polaricing winding, so that the relay will now be held in operated position independent of the upper winding as long as release trunk conductor 40 remains grounded. At armature 62 and 65 electro-polarized relay 51 disconnects the incoming trunk conductors from the line relay 5-l and the retard coil 82, and the line is now extended directly to the trunk conductors 85 and 87 on tile outgoing side of the repeater, the bridge across these trunk conductors being opened at the same time at armature T0. Relays 54: and 55 are now deenergized, but relay 55, being slow acting, holds its armatures attracted for a short time after its circuit is opened at armature 69. At armature (33, relay 51 closes a circuit, for operating the meter, which extends from the grounded armature and back contact of relay 52, armature and front contact 63, front contact and armature 71, armature and back contact (30, conductor 39. bank contact 35, wiper 31, armature 18 and its front contact through the windings of slow relay 2% and relay 25 in series to battery. Relay 25 is of relatively low resistance but nevertheless since direct ground has been conn cted to conductor 39 both of these relays are energized and a circuit is completed in an obvious manner for the operating magnet 01" meter M through armatures 26 and 2. As stated before, this meter is the one which is associated with the substation A on the party line and is operated when this circuit is closed to register the call. In

order to insure that relay 25 will energize slightly ahead of 24 and thus guard against any possibility of accidentally operating meter at, relay 24 is provided with a slug of copper on one end of the core and thus made slightly slow to pull up.

The complete connection having been established between the calling and called subscriber, they now may converse, and it will be observed that as soon as the calling line has been extended directly through to the repeater D, that the transmitter at the calling station will be supplied with talking battery through the windings of line relay 101 in the connector l, and that this relay is now held energized over the circuit including the line through the substation rather than the bridge a; repeater D as before.

lVhen the conversation is terminated both subscribers will hang up their respective receivers. lVhen the receiver is replaced at substation A the line and release relays 101 and 102 in the connector H are deenergized and circuit is completed for the release magnet 111 which operates to restore the connector H to normal position in the usual manner. Belay 102 also removes ground from the release conductor 98 which has maintained the selector E and the line switch C in operated position, thereby restoring these switches to normal. The electro-pollarized relay 51 in the repeater D is also deenergized at this time. lVhen the cut-off relay 1% restores all the apparatus will be in normal condition and ready for use in another connection.

Having explained how the meter M is operated when a call is made from substation A the process of operating the meter M when a call is made from station A to A will be briefly described. It will be necessary first, to call attention to the wiring of the calling devices at the two substations. These calling devices are exactly alike but the connections of the shunt springs are slightly different. Considering the calling device S at substation A, the shunt springs are shown adapted to be closed when the dial is operated, and are so connected that whenever the dial is away from its normal position the trans mitter and the receiver will be short circuited, and the impulse springs will be connected directly across the two sides of the line in series with the primary winding of the in duction coil. This is the usual wiring for the calling device or" this type, whether it is being used as a party line substation or not. The calling device of substation A is connected somewhat dii'iierently. The middle shunt spring instead of being connected to the junction of the transmitter and receiver is connected directly to ground and when the dial is away from its normal position the impulse springs are connected from the negative line conductor 11 to ground. It is thus seen that while the calling device of substation A is adapted to produce interruptions over a circuit including two sides of the line in series, the calling device at substation A is adapted to produce impulses in a circuit including only one side of the line and ground return.

The operations will now be described which take place when a subscriber at station A calls a subscriber at station A The circuit operation will be described but briefly. When the receiver is removed, the line conductors 11 and 12 are extended by the line switch G into connection with an idle trunk line extending from this line switch just the same as in the previous case, and it will be assumed that the trunk line selected is the trunk line which extends through the repeater D to the first selector E. When the line is extended to the repeater I) the line relay 54 is energized in series with the retard coil 82 and the two windings of the differential relay 53 as before, with the same result. The bridge is closed across the trunk line on the outgoing side of the repeater and the selector E is pre pared for operation.

The calling subscriber will now operate his calling device in accordance with the first digit in the desired number. lVhen the dial is pulled down the shunt springs are permitted to close and the circuit of the line relay 54: is completed direct to ground at the substation. As a result no current will flow over the lower side of the line including the conductor 12, and the differential relay 53 will be operated by the current flow in its upper winding. Upon energizing, relay 53 closes a circuit for relay 50 at its armature 68 from ground at. armature 81, and, upon energizing, in turn the said relay 50 establishes a lockingcircuit for itself at its armature 61. Relay 50 also connects the resistance 59 in series with the conductor 39 by operating armature 60. hen the calling device dial is released it returns to normal and a series of interruptions are produced in the circuit of the line relay 54 which are repeated into the circuit of the line relay of the selector E and the said selector is operated. During this first series of impulses relays 56 and 57 are energized as previously explained. The relay 56 is locked up and the differential relay 53 is thereby permanently cut out of the circuit at armatures 7 5 and 77. The remaining digits of the desired number may now be called and a connector switch H for example is operated to complete the connection to the desired called line. This is assumed to be the line at substation A When the called subscriber answers, back bridge line conductors are connected straight through the repeater. Relay 51 also connects ground to conductor 39 by means of armature 63, from armature 67 and 71, but now since relay 50 has been energized and armature 6O operated, the resistance 59 is included in the circuit and the current flow to the relays 2 1- and 25, although it is suliicicnt to operate relay 24 will be insuflicient to operate the low resistance and marginally adjusted relay 25. Relay 25 therefore remains inoperated and a circuit is completed by relay 24 for energizing the operating magnet of the meter M which is thus operated to register the call. The release of the connection takes place when the receiver is hung up at substation A the same as in the case where the calling subscriber was the subscriber at sub station A. I

The operation will now be described whereby the subscriber at substation A will call the subscriber at substation A both of which stations, it will be noted, are on the same line, the connection being completed by way of the revert-ive call equipment RC, Fig. 2, as will be explained. Upon the removal of the re ceiver at substation A, the line switch 0 is caused to operate and engaged an idle trunk leading through the repeater D, to the selector switch E in a similar manner as heretofore explained. Under control of the calling device S, the line relay 54: of the repeaterD will repeat the impulses at armature 70, to theselector E. The wipers 88, 89 and 90 are then positioned opposite the ninth level of bank contacts and then automatically rotated to an idle set of bank contacts, 91, 92 and 93, respectively, leading to an idle reverting call equipment RC, instead of the connector H as in other calls. As soon as this equipment RC is seized the circuit for the relay 203 is completed over the line conductors and 87 and the baclr contacts 208 and 210 of relay 201 to battery and ground. At armature 214i, relay 203 completes a circuit for the slow release relay 204:. At armature 216 a circuit is prepared for the ringing relay 202 and at armature 217 a point in the circuit of the interrupter I is opened. Relay 204 locks up over its armature 218 and armature 211 of relay 202. At armature 220 a point in the circuit of the interrupter I is closed. At front contact and armature 219 relay 204: places ground through resistance 215 on the release trunk conductor 120. This ground flows back over conductor 86 through armature 74; through the Winding of relay 52 to ground. The resistance 215 being higher than that of relay 52 this relay will no longer be short circuited, as was the case when the connector H was seized and direct ground applied to the release trunk conductor 98.

' Relay 52 will therefore energize in series with slow relay 56 over armature 7 6 and armature 741. At front contact and armature 67, of

58 having previously prevented the relay 51 from energizing over the grounded release trunk conductor 86. Armature 67 also removes ground from the armature 63 of relay 51 so that the meters cannot be operated when this relay 51 energizes. At armatures 62 and 65 conductors 85 and 87 are cut straight through to the reverting call equipment and the line relay 54 and relay 55 deenergize.

The subscriber at substation A will now replace his receiver on his hook to start the automatic ringing of the bells at both the stations, A and A. Relay thereupon falls back. The slow relay 204 is maintained energized over its locking circuit including armature 211 and armature when relay 203 falls back. At armature and back con tact 217 the circuit of relay 201 is completed to the interrupter I over contacts and armatures 213, 217 and 220. is the constantl rotating interrupter I revolves the relay 201 is intermittently energized and deenergi' At armature and front contact 209, relay 201 completes the circuit for relay 200. This'relay, upon energizing, at armature 206 completes a locking circuit for itself to the grounded release trunk 120. At armature and front contact 207, relay 200 prepares the circuit of the ringing relay 202 from armature and front contacts 216. At armatures and front contacts 208and 210 relay 201 projects the ringing current out over the line to ring the bells of the called and calling stat on A and A intermittently, from the ringing generator G through one winding of relay 202. The subscriber at substation A will know when the subscriber. at station A. has answered by his hell not ringing any more and he removes his receiver. When the subscriber at substation A responcs the relay 203 becomes again energize-d during the period when relay 201 is tie-energized and at armature 217 opens the circuit of the inter rupter, thereby deenergizing relay 201 and permanently opening the ringing contacts of armatures 208 and 21.0. At armature 209 one branch of the circuit of relay 200 is opened but it still remains held up from armature 219 of relay 204. At armature 207 the circuit of the ringing relay 202 is completed from grounded armature 216, and it locks itself over its armature 212 to the grounded release conductor. At armature 213 another point in the circuit of relay 201 is opened. At arinature 211 the locking circuit of relay 204 is opened, but it is now held energized from armature 214. The subscribers new converse, talking battery being furnished from the windings of relay 203.

At the termination of the conversation when both of the subscribers replace their receivers, the relay 203 becomes deenergized.

At armature 214 the circuit of relay 204 is opened and it d energizes and at armature 219 it removes ground from the release conductor 120, thereby allowing relays 200 and 202 to fall back. lVith ground removed from the releaseconductor 86, the locking circuit of relay 56 of the repeater D is opened at armature 76, and the relay falls back. At ari'nature 78, relay 52 is short circuited and it (lee-nergizes. The leciring circuit of the polarized relay 51 is also opened and it dcencrgizes, and at its armatures 02 and opens both sides of the line. With the repeater D now in normal position the holding circuit of the line switch C is opened and the cut-off relay 14 restores to normal. All the equipment used in the connection is now in normal position. l either of the meters had been operated on this reverting call and it will thus be seen that for calls on the same line no charge will be allixed against the calling subscriber.

Assuming now that the subscriber at substation A calls the subscriber A, both of which are on the same line, the operation of the equipment will be exactly the same, up to the selector, as was when the subscriber at A called the subscriber at A but instead of seizing a connector H the selector will engage an idle revertin call equipment BC. The operations of the circuit will be the same from now on as was when the subscriber A calls the subscriber A and likewise neither meter will be operated. It will thus be seen that in calls from party lines to straight lines, or individual lines, the meter of the calling subscriber will be operated and he will be charged with a call, whereas in calls between parties on the same line neither meter will be operated and a call will be free.

If hen either of the parties A or A on the party line call another station on another party line the establishment of the connec tion and the operation of the proper meter will be the same as if the party line station had called a straight line such as A The ringing of the called party line station could be efiected in any well known manner desired.

When either one of the subscribers A or A on the line 11, 12 is called Y by some other subscriber on another line such as A for example, the line switch C will operate in a manner similar to the operation of the line switch C, Fig. 2, on an incoming call as hereinbetore described. The bank contacts in the connector switch to which the line conductors 11, 12 and 13 are connected would be similar to that connector shown and described in a patent to Roy F. Gould, No. 1,640,568, issued Aug. 30, 1927, wherein a wiper switching relay operates on a critical level, but does not on another level, to effect the ringing of the proper subscriber, by switching generator to one side of the line or the other and therethe other of the lineand ground at the bell.

The line conductors 11 and 12 are therefore transposed at the substation A. The remaining parts of the relays of that connector are similar to that connector shown at H. The release of the connection is also similar to that previously described.

I-Iaving described and ascertained the various features and aspects of this invention, what is considered new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

WVhat is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, a multi-station line, other lines, automatic switches controlled over said lines for completing calls between stations on said line and said other lines, a meter associated with each station on said multi-station line, means for automatically operating one of said meters when the associated station has successfully completed a call to one of said other lines, and means for preventing the operation of said meter when its associated station successfully completes a call to another station on the same line,

2. In a telephone system, party lines, other lines, automatic switches accessible to said lines for completing calls therebetween, meters, one for each station on said party lines, automatic means for operating the associated meter upon the successful completion of a call from a party line station to one of said other lines, and automatic means for preventing the operation of said associated meter upon the successful completion of a call from said party line station to another station on the same line. I

3. In a measured service telephone system, party lines, other lines, automatic switches accessible to said lines for completing calls therebetween, a meter for each station on said party lines, means controlled over said automatic switches for operating the meter of a calling station on said party line contingent upon the successful completion of a call to one of said other lines, andmeans controlled over said switches for preventing the operation of the meter of a calling station on said party line contingent upon the successful completion of a call to another station on the same line. I

4. In an automatic telephone system, a multi-station party line, a central oflice containing automatic switches accessible to said line for completing calls between stations on said line, a meter for each station on said line at said oflice, and means controlled over said automatic switches for preventing the operation of the associated calling stations meter upon the successful completion of a call to another station on said line.

5. In a measured service telephone system, a party line, meters associated with each station on said line, a trunk line equipped with a meter control repeater, facilitatesfor establishing and completing talking connections from said party'line via said trunk line to other lines, means in said repeater for oper ating a meter on the successful completion of a call from a station on said party line to one of said other lines, means for causing ringing current to be transmitted back to said party line for signalling another station on the same line and means for preventing the operation of said meters upon the successful completion of the call to said other station.

6. In a telephone system, a party line, stations on said line, a meter at the exchange individual to each station on said line, a meter control repeater accessible to said line, means for calling other lines through said repeater and operating the associated meter, and means for successfully calling another station on the same line through said repeater and preventing the operation of the associated meter.

7. In a telephone system, a party line, another line, each station on said party line having a meter at the exchange, a repeater accessible to said party line, a relay in said repeater for controlling the circuits of said meters, and means effective upon the successful establishment of a connection from a station on said party line to said other line for rendering said relay ineffective and thereby completing the circuit of the calling stations meter.

8. In a telephone system, a party line, each station on said line having a meter at the exchange, a repeater accessible to said line, a relay in said repeater for controlling the circuits of said meters, and means effective upon the successful establishment of a connection from a station on said line to another station on the same line for rendering said relay effective to prevent the calling stations meter from being operated. I

9. In a telephone system, a party line, another line, each station on said party line having a meter at the exchange, a repeater accessible to said party line, a relay in said repeater controlling the circuit of said meters, means for establishing a connection from a station on said party line to said other line and rendering said relay inoperative and thereby completing the circuit of the meter, and means for successfully establishing a connection between two stations on said party line and rendering said relay operative and preventing the operation of the calling stations meter.

10. In a telephone system, a party line, another line, each station on said party line having a meter at the exchange, automatic switches for setting up connections between stations on said party line, other automatic switches including said first switches for setting up connections from a station on said I party line to a station on said other line, and arelay included in each type of connection for automatically causing the meter, of the calling station to be operated in one type of successful connection only.

11. In a telephone system, a party line, another line, each station on said party line having a meter at the exchange, means for successfully setting up a connection via rever ing call equipment between stations on said party line, means for successfully setting up a connection viaa connector switch between a stationon said party line and a station on said other line a relay included in each type of connection for controllin the operation of the associated calling stntions meter, and means for operating said relay only in 21 1e Vei'ting call connection.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day 01 August, A. D. 1926.

JOHN WIGKS. 

